Hazel Ipuniuesea Leo, a 10th grade student at Iakina Adventist Academy, winner of the local Poetry Out Loud Competition, is now advancing to the Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals. This takes place May 9 in Washington DC.
From those semifinals, nine students will advance to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals on May 10. In total, $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed as part of the national finals, including a $20,000 prize for the national champion.
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students, across the country.
This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life.
Hazel won the American Samoa 2023 Poetry Out Loud Competition last month, and one of the poems she recited was “The More Loving One” by Winston H. Auden.
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For the American Samoa Poetry Out Loud competition on March 17, Fuarosa Molesi of Leone High School placed second and Guadalupe Aukusitino of Samoana High School placed 3rd.
Photos: Dept of Education
